2017 Arthur Murray All-Star Spotlight: Area 5
The Arthur Murray All-Star competition isn't about costuming, hip motion, choreography, or zooming across the dance floor.
While that may be the image of a professional dancer, this competition highlights the skills of professional teachers. In the same way that a professional dancer needs the technique, skill, and showmanship to capture your attention, an Arthur Murray professional develops those abilities by way of great communication, problem solving skills, creativity, enthusiasm, teamwork, and customer service.
Recently, Area 5 hosted their All Star testing and Arthur Murray Live was there to chat with the winners.
TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:
Cassandra Champagne from Arthur Murray Houston-Katy
AML: First off, congratulations on moving on to the finals in Las Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
CC: I went ballistic! Ironically, in that moment, the microphone had lost power and Hunter (Johnson) was screaming my name! So I wasn't sure right away, but when I knew for sure, I immediately became an uncontained, ecstatic, ball of joy!
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
CC: They say that knowledge is power, and the All-Star training process has helped stick so many powerful teaching and connecting tools in my tool belt. What's even more incredible is that this training can be used in just about any situation in life. But there is no satisfaction like sharing a moment with a student that came about because I followed the words of wisdom from the All-Star training, and everyone left even happier and more satisfied than before.
TOP SPECIALIST:
Stephanie Romanko from Arthur Murray Fort Worth
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
SR: I listened to 90's music.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
SR: Studying the skills in the All-Star releases has trained me over the years to become a better and more effective communicator on every level in my career - both with my students and fellow team mates in the studio.
[Read Stephanie Romanko's Full All-Star Interview here]
TOP COUNSELOR:
Ryan West from Arthur Murray Dallas
[Interview in development]
TOP TEACHER:
Andria Ruiz from Arthur Murray San Antonio
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
AR: It helps to reinforce the skills that make me a good teacher and allows me to think of new ways to help students. This has also made me a better professional and follow the Arthur Murray standards and procedures, yet I have to be me.
No one else can be me, and I cannot try to be someone else's idea of the perfect teacher.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
AR: If my team wins, that would truly be the cherry on the cake of an amazing experience. Not only is this my first time competing in the finals, but it is also my first time in Last Vegas.
I have an incredibly talented team and I would love to make my team, Area Chairperson, Franchisees, students, and family proud by representing Area 5 and coming back as the winner.
[Read the Full Interview with Andrea Ruiz here]
TOP SUPERVISOR:
Ian Kelley from Arthur Murray Plano
AML: What's you All-Star backstory? If you can give a little synopsis of the highs and lows of this competition over the years.
IK: My first three trips to Las Vegas were as a teacher, then I went once as a counselor, and I've now been three times as a supervisor. Being called out onto that ballroom floor in Las Vegas in front of all of your peers and all of the people who helped you get ether is pretty surreal. It's like a B-12 shot for your pride and confidence.
Two years ago I lost my focus, and I didn't make it past the District round, losing that year to the amazing Gretchen Malone from Fort Worth, who went on to represent us in the finals. It really opened my eyes and fueled my fire to get back on track and focus again.
I'm pretty competitive - in case you can't tell.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
IK: It would be incredible to win this year. I've never won before, and having finished in the top 3 for the first time last year, I'm ready to do it again.
We have a really strong team coming in, and we all get along really well.
So it would be exciting to win with this group of exceptional people. Plus, with Area 5 having only been reformed last year, we pretty much burst onto the scene, and it would be great to take Area 5 to the top spot and put us into the spotlight as a force to be reckoned with.
[Read Ian Kelley's Full Interview Here]
TOP ROOKIE:
Julian Ferguson from Arthur Murray San Miguel
AML: First off, congratulations on moving into the finals in Last Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
JF: When the announcement was first made that I won, I was ecstatic.
My franchisee and I were standing next to each other we both just started screaming and jumping up and down.
I was so excited that I even forgot to stand in dance position for the group shot, demonstrating that I really was the rookie in the group.
AML: Last question, what does this mean to you? What makes it special?
JF: For me, this is really exciting because it represents a real tangible future. So far, my Arthur Murray experience has been a fun job. But as I progress more and more in this business it becomes clear that this could be my life. And I love that. It's amazing that things are happening and doors are opening.
This is a perfect example of a door opening to me. I am just so excited for the future.
[Read Julian Ferguson's Full All-Star interview here]
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